Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Benally speaks out against bill that would make it harder to protest some liquor license applications, transfers

Benally speaks out against bill that would
make it harder to protest some liquor license applications, transfers

STATE
CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Jennifer Benally, D-Tuba City (District 7),
recently spoke out against a bill that would make it harder to protest some
liquor license applications and transfers.

The
Arizona House of Representatives recently passed HB 2359, which would increase the number of people needed to trigger a
public hearing to review liquor license applications or transfer of existing
licenses. Currently, it takes only one person living within a mile of the
business to protest. If HB 2359 becomes law, it will take five percent of all
the people living within that one-mile radius.

“This
bill weakens the voices of those who might be opposed to an establishment
transferring a liquor license,” Benally said. “Requiring five percent of a
population to actively protest a liquor license places a serious burden on that
community, especially in dense urban communities and areas that are struggling
economically. This bill makes it harder for community members to voice their
concerns.”

Benally
added that this issue is especially important to Native American communities.

“Many
of the liquor stores that would be affected by this legislation are more than a
mile away from Native American Nations. But there are people in these communities
who have concerns about liquor license transfers,” she said. “Our communities
are affected by these decisions; the ripple effect extends beyond that one-mile
radius. There should be a way for them to participate and ensure their voices
are heard.”

HB
2359 passed the Arizona House by a vote of 33 to 25 and now awaits action in
the Senate.